Summer Notes: Outdoor vs Indoor

Some Notes for the Summer Season…
Brought to you by Rick of The Private Professionals

 

Well, summer has finally arrived. The kids are out of school, the grills are in full flame, & it's that time to gather a few friends on the back deck for some burgers & margaritas. Just thought I'd send along a few notes for the season to help with the fun.

And of course if you're having a full scale event (or just wanted to pump things up a notch), then we're currently taking dates for the summer calendar & would love to hear from you.  Check us out: http://www.ThePrivateProfessionals.com

Thanks!

Rick~   

Some Considerations for an Outdoor vs. Indoor Party:

If you are actually planning an outdoor event, then be sure to keep a close eye on the weather & have a back up just in case things aren’t working in your favor that day. It’s always a good idea to have an alternate indoor location just in case you need to move things inside. You may also want to have a tent set up in case of rain (or even a quick shower). This also works well for hot days to help shade people from the blazing sun.

Heat can be a problem too! Allow for some shaded areas & be sure that your guests have ready access to good water. Alcohol is very dehydrating & guests can quickly get really thirsty. A couple of taller fans planted around seated areas can be a nice touch (just make sure you aren’t blowing away drinks & paper plates). And if there will be elderly guests attending, be sure you have availability to a cooler climate.

Bugs are a big issue in the summer. Put citronella candles on all the key perimeter points & have a few cans of ‘Off’ readily available. Keep food covered, & be sure to serve sodas & beer in plastic cups…

Bees will tend to get in the neck of bottles & cans, & you don’t want to take a sip of your soda & suddenly have a very angry bee in your mouth!

Additionally, you don’t any glass products in an area where they may break & cause injury to people in bare feet. This is especially true if you have a pool or hot tub. A broken glass can cause havoc with the pump & filter system, & will often require to you to drain the entire pool!!!  Ugh…

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A Few of My Favorite Recipes:  throughout the year…       

For all recipes the following conventions apply:

- A single shot is 1-½ oz.

- I prefer a 4-count speed pourer, so 1 shot = 4 counts (4ct). 

- The remaining fill is considered to be for a standard glass.

- When referring to the squeeze of 1 lime, I mean 1 lime wedge.

- A splash is equal to roughly a 1 or 2 count from a pourer.

Apple Martini (Appletini):

¾ shot (3ct) Vodka.

½ shot (2ct) Pucker or Sour Apple.

¼ shot (1ct) Triple Sec.

Finish w/ a good splash of Sours & squeeze of lime.

Shake hard & serve up as a Martini. (see "sour apple" for alt. recipe).

Blue Martini:

¾ shot (3ct) Vodka or Gin.

½ shot (2ct) Blue Curacao.

Finish w/ a good splash of Sours & squeeze of lemon.

Shake hard & serve up as a Martini w/ a twist.

Cosmopolitan:  My Recipe...

1 ¼ shot (5ct) Vodka (preferably Citron).

¼ shot (1ct) Triple Sec.

Finish w/ splash of Sours, splash of Cranberry, & squeeze of lime.

Shake hard & serve up as a Martini (it should be lightly pink not red).

Ecstasy (or just 'X'):  My Own Recipe…

¾ shot (3ct) Vodka.

½ shot (2ct) Malibu Rum.

¼ shot (1ct) Triple Sec.

Finish w/ Sours & Splash Pineapple - top off w/ dash of Grenadine.

Shake & serve up as shooter - finish w/ a light splash of grenadine.

Irish Coffee:

1 shot (4ct) Jameson's or Bushmill's Irish Whiskey

1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar (put the Kaluha Down!)…

Stir sugar & Whiskey into a good coffee & top off w/ whipped Cream.

Lemon Drop:

1 shot (4ct) Vodka (preferably Citron).

Add squeeze of 1 lemon & a good dash or sugar or powdered sugar.

Shake hard (very hard) & serve up as a shot.

Garnish w/ Lemon Wedge coated in Granulated Sugar.

Manhattan (Standard):

Always ask if they want Bourbon or Whiskey.

If up then chill your glass while you make your drink (Ice & Water).

1 ½ shot (6ct) Whiskey & Shake 'till VERY COLD - set aside…

If up then dump ice from your glass & add a dash of Sweet Vermouth.

If "Dry" then shake as much out of the glass as is possible.

Add Cherry & strain the chilled Whiskey/Bourbon into the glass.

If on the Rocks then just add a very slight dash of Vermouth to the tin & serve in a Rocks Glass.  

"Perfect" gets both Dry & Sweet Vermouth - but may still be dry.

Martini (Standard/Classic):

Always ask if they want Vodka or Gin -&- Olives or a Twist.

Chill your glass while you make your drink (w/ Ice & Splash Water).

1 ½ shot (6ct) Vodka or Gin & Shake 'till VERY COLD - set aside…

If up then dump ice from your glass & add a dash of Dry Vermouth.  If "Dry" then shake as much out of the glass as is possible. Add Olives or Twist & strain the chilled Vodka or Gin to the glass.

If on the Rocks then just add a very slight dash of Vermouth to the tin & serve in a Rocks Glass.  

"Dirty" gets Olive Juice (ask 'how dirty' they want it).

"Perfect" gets both Dry & Sweet Vermouth - but may still be dry.

Margarita:

1 shot (4ct) Tequila

½ shot (2ct) Triple Sec

Finish w/ Sours or Margarita Mix & a Squeeze of Lime.

Shake hard or Blend. Serve up or on the rocks.

Garnish w/ lime. Salted rim of glass is optional (always ask).

Mimosa:

¾ wine glass or flute of Champagne.

Finish w/ O.J. (excellent w/ a splash of Cranberry as well).

Garnish w/ Orange Wedge.

Mint Julep:

Lightly Muddle powdered sugar & splash of water (or use simple syrup) w/ some mint. Add Finely Crushed Ice (a must).

Pour 1 ½ shot (6ct) Fine Kentucky Bourbon.

Garnish w/ additional Mint Sprigs & serve w/ a straw.

To 'muddle' is to simply take a spoon & lightly squish up the selected ingredients in the bottom of a glass. Then add ice & pour base liquor.

Mojito:

'Lightly' Muddle Fresh Mint in about 2 shots of simple syrup.

Squeeze in 1 Lime Wedge.

Pour 1 ½ shot (6ct) Amber or Light Rum.

Serve over Ice - Finish w/ Seltzer & Stir.

Garnish w/ additional Mint Sprigs if desired.

Pain Killer:

½ shot (2ct) Coconut Flavored Rum.

½ shot (2ct) Pineapple Flavored Rum.

½ shot (2ct) Amber &/or Spiced Rum.

Finish w/ 2 parts Pina Colada (1pt. Coco Lopez / 2pts. Pineapple) & 

1 part O.J.

Shake & serve over ice, up as shooter, or blended.

Pina Colada:

1 shot (4ct) Rum (preferably something smooth & amber).

1 part Cream of Coconut (preferably Cocoa Lopez).

2 parts Pineapple Juice.

Blend w/ Ice until Smooth. Add a scoop of ice cream to make it awesome. Garnish w/ a cherry & orange, or a wedge of pineapple.

To make the Kick-Ass Version…

¾ shot (3ct) Meyers Pineapple Flavored Rum.

¾ shot (3ct) Meyers Coconut Flavored Rum.

½ shot (2ct) Amber Rum (something smooth & amber).

½ shot (2ct) Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum (optional).

Blend w/ 1 part Cocoa Lopez (Coconut) & 2 parts Pineapple Juice.

You can shake this as a drink or shooter to be served up.   - Or -

Blend until smooth w/ 1 scoop Ice Cream & enough ice to make it thick. Garnish w/ wedge of pineapple & a speared cherry & orange.

Planter's Punch:

½ shot (2ct) Light Rum.

½ shot (2ct) Dark Rum (amber).

½ shot (2ct) Meyer's Dark (or dark rum).

Finish w/ 3 parts Pineapple & 1 part O.J.

Splash of Grenadine & float Apricot Brandy.

Shake & on ice as a drink. Splash Grenadine & float Brandy on top.

Honestly, just make it tropical (& a little red) & you're in good shape.  ;-)

Rose Kennedy:

1 shot (4ct) Vodka

Finish w/ Soda & a good splash of Cranberry.

Stir & serve over Ice as a drink.

Sangria:

1 Bottle Red Wine (something in a mid-grade wine is fine).

   You can also do this with White Wine for a summer alternative.

2 shots (8ct) Brandy.

1 shots (4ct) Cointreau (or Blackberry Brandy).

Finish w/ Juice of ½ orange (squeeze fresh) then add cut fruit: 4 slices of orange, 2 Lemon, 2 Lime, & 4 Apple (toss Apple in a bit of lemon juice beforehand). Combine all ingredients & refrigerate.

Stir & serve wine chalice w/ a mix of fruit & a splash of soda water.

Shark Bite:

¾ shot (3ct) Captain Morgan (or spiced rum).

½ shot (2 ct) Light Rum.

½ shot (2ct) Blue Curacao.

Finish w/ a dash of Grenadine.

Shake & serve up. Finish w/ a couple drops of grenadine (for blood).

Spritzer (Wine Spritzer):

White wine over ice w/ a splash of soda & a squeeze of lime.

It's a good idea to ask if they want ice or no ice…

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Hope to see you soon!

Rick~
P2